actors popular on the film have lately attempted the ambition of every aspirant to dramatic fame by appearing as Hamlet on the stage, Mr. Leslie Howard made the effort in New York but. candour impels the admission, he did not get a favour ble reception from the critics. Mr. Lawrence Olivier at the Old Vie in London has been more fortunate, daringly played the part ina full Wath production of the tragedy—an adventure which producers embark occasionally and hopefully from time to time. The play began at 7 o'clock and the curtain fell at 1 pan, and so well presented was it that with approval and audiences who were not impatient. sr, Olivier hhim= elf assisted greatly in bringing about this salisfnctory result, as would be clear {0 anyone who Knows the play for a bad Hamlet must mean a bod id be expected' of not attempt defiance of convention or slavish imitation of other interpreters of the role. The critic In "The Times" said: full of Vitaliy.
This suggests that Mr. Olivier, may jot have reached John Gielgud's but can certainly modern English felor has hod so warm an approval for his Hamlet. The success will be ws because eight years ago Mr, Olivier had an un~ imerlted disappointment over the pai Which he created in "Journey's End'
the Apollo Theatre in a Stage Society's production and which he describes as his favourite part—Captain Stanhope. When Mr. James Whale, disregarding other opinion decided to produce "Journey's End {or public performance at the Savoy Theatr, he found Mr. Olivier already engaged to play "Beau Geste™ elaborately set production at His Majesty's. Mr. Colin Clive therefore succeeded to the part of Stanhope and, incidentally, achieved a notable elumph. "Beau Geste" ran for a week; "Journey's End" for £94 consecutive performances.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.